UK Diving Blogs
A Simple Yet Secret Cave At Fraggle Rock
(The underwater photos in this article are screen grabs from video frames)
I was told by a diver recently that he hated long poetic descriptions of underwater scenes and just wanted the facts. Something like, ‘jumped in the water and saw a fish, went in a cave, saw some more fish – went home’. I guess that would make for a shorter article but it would be a shame to confine such a nice dive into such brutally compact wording.
I was out with Mark Milburn from Atlantic Scuba near Falmouth, doing a recce for some new GoPro video courses I am running. Mark was very enthusiastic about a site he called Fraggle Cave and so that’s where we headed. The short trip started well with five or six common dolphin scooting across our wake and 10 minutes later we were at the site near Fraggle Rock.
A shallow dive this one, and we rolled back off the inflatable into 5 metres of water and a sea bed covered with long fronds of gently waving kelp some of which were decorated on top with Snakelocks Anemones.
Mark led the way over and through the maze of kelp until we came to what looked like a dead end of rock. Then he disappeared into it. Of course I followed and found myself looking into the darkness of a small but perfectly formed cave. As my eyes got used to the dark I could make out a hint of light about twenty metres ahead where the cave had an exit. To be correct this was a tunnel and not a cave but who cares, it was still quite a find.
At first I thought the inside to be totally scoured by the huge swells that storm this coast every winter, but as we looked closer into the nooks and crannies of the walls so life started to appear.
The first to catch my eye was a Tompot Blenny sharing a crack in the rock with a Velvet Swimming Crab. Tompot Blennies can be very territorial especially during spawning from March to May when a single male may guard the eggs of several females. Living for up to five years these Blennies are generally left alone by divers but are taken from rockpools for display in aquariums.
The Velvet Swimming crab though is taken in great numbers. It is estimated that 500 tonnes are taken in the UK every year for the European food market. It has the name ‘velvet’ because of the soft texture to its back and it’s called ‘swimming’ because it has flattened rear legs which can be used for swimming. They do in fact swim quite well especially when escaping from predators such as cuttlefish.
Further along a large Prawn seemed to be guarding a baby Edible Crab. Both these species are fished in great numbers for the food markets. It always makes me cringe when I think of them being dropped alive into boiling water. Some say they feel no pain but that’s one I have to argue and in fact do so in another of my articles ‘Do Fish Feel Pain’. If you want to research this yourself I can suggest you start by reading a book with this very title written by Professor Victoria Braithwaite http://fishcount.org.uk/fish-welfare-in-commercial-fishing/fish-sentience/do-fish-feel-pain
Finishing the dive, as we emerged from the cave, there was a Lobster. Hiding under a small ledge it looked at me briefly, decided I was no threat and scrambled away to a better hiding place. It’s interesting that Lobsters as well as other marine species have the same major internal body structures as humans including a brain, heart, nervous system, stomach and intestines and depending on which web site you look at, can live up to 80 years in the wild.
I heard that the next day a diver took the lobster up for supper. It’s a shame that no will ever see it again when they come out of the cave, but perhaps another one will replace it over time.
Thanks Mark for a great dive. http://www.atlanticscuba.co.uk/
Have you ever dived Fraggle Cave? Let us know in the comments below!
Blogs
Marine Quest announce 2024 Dive Packages
Marine Quest offers week long dive packages, catering from a wide range of interests. From beautiful scenic diving in the world-famous St Abbs and Eyemouth Marine Reserve, to explore the stunning historic wreck sites of the Firth of Forth and further offshore wreck expeditions, there is plenty to suit all.
You will dive from on one of Marine Quest’s custom designed dive boats that are modern, fast and spacious. Fitted with diver recovery lifts and toilets, Marine Quest aim to make your time aboard as comfortable as possible.
You will stay at The Harbourside; a custom-built dive lodge; fully modernised and comfortable accommodation. All situated on the picturesque quayside in the heart of Eyemouth. All rooms are en-suite, with gallons of hot water! A large lounge offers a relaxing area to unwind and access to free WiFi throughout the building. There is an extensive kit drying room for the use of all guests.
Scenic & Wreck Packages
5 day package includes:
- 5 x 2 dive days
- 5 nights B&B
- Refreshments on- board
- Air fills included (Nitrox extra)
Price: £620.00
Packages include accommodation from Sunday evening
Dates 2024:
6th – 10th May
Scenic and shallow wreck week
25m max
10 spaces
24th – 28th June
Scenic and shallow wreck week
25m max
FULL
22th – 26th July
Scenic and shallow wreck week
30m max
10 spaces
19th – 23th August
Scenic and shallow wreck week
30m max
10 spaces
Other dates will be added to the calendar soon
Technical Dive
Packages
5 day package includes:
- 5 days hard boat diving
- 5 nights B&B
- Refreshments on-board
Price: £845.00
Packages include accommodation from Sunday evening
Dates 2024:
13th May – 17th May
45m Wreck Week
10 spaces
3rd – 7th/9th June
(Sat & Sun can be added)
Classics wreck week
60-70m
4 spaces
17th – 21st/23rd June
(Sat & Sun can be added)
Classics wreck week
60-70m
Limited spaces email for details
29th June – 7th July
Far North Expedition (9 days diving)
FULL
15th – 19th July
Classics wreck week
60-70m
10 spaces
29th July – 4th August
(7 days)
Exmouth ’80’ week
60 max
FULL
12th – 16th/18th August
(Sat & Sun can be added)
Classics wreck week
Limited spaces email for details
27th – 31st August
(Tuesday – Saturday)
45m wreck week
8 spaces
2nd – 8th September
HMS Pathfinder 110 week
Limited spaces email for details
25th – 29th September
Whitby Expedition
FULL
For more information or to book:
info@marinequest.co.uk
www.marinequest.co.uk
+44 (0)778 0823 884
Blogs
Meet Our Club: Christal Seas Scuba Ltd
Want to join a dive club? In this series, we take a look at grassroots diving and find out what’s happening on the club scene in the UK and around the world…
What is the name of your club?
Christal Seas Scuba Ltd
Where is your club based?
At our lovely dive centre in Norwich, complete with well-stocked shop, service rooms and on-site swimming pool.
Club affiliations (i.e. BSAC, PADI, SAA, etc.)
PADI and SSI training and we have good links to our local BSAC club.
Where and when do you meet?
We don’t have regular club meetings as we have a permanent base at our dive centre in Norwich which serves as a hub and meeting point for everyone and the focus of pool and classroom training. It is a regular meeting place for local divers and a great chance to catch up with everyone.
We do also organise special guest speakers and social events every few months too.
How do you respond to the challenge of recruiting new members?
We have been running for over 20 years and are lucky enough to have a lot of repeat divers and customers. Word of mouth recommendations are really important, and our website and Social Media pages give information for new people too.
What facilities and resources does the club use/have?
We have a well stocked shop with our own swimming pool on-site. We also do cylinder testing and all equipment servicing on site too.
What sort of diving do you do, and where?
We do lots of training dives at Stoney Cove and also dive off the Norfolk coast. The shore dives just off the north Norfolk coast, around Cromer and Sheringham are really nice and full of marine life and even 2 world war 1 shipwrecks. All in 8 metres deep of water. And we organise trips to the Farne Islands and the south coast too.
Do you organise any club trips abroad, and if so, where?
Several trips abroad… This year for example, we have organised 3 trips to the Farne Islands, 3 Red Sea Liveaboards, a Maldives Liveaboard and a Cocos Island trip. Trips to Bikini Atoll and Scapa Flow are planned for 2024.
Does your club have any special interests such as conservation, special projects, etc?
We have lots of interesting activities from Full Face mask dives in the pool, Discover Mermaid experiences (we have 2 Mermaid Instructors in-house) and carry out a lot of training for juniors from 8 years upwards. We are planning beach cleans and Dive Against Debris dives for 2024.
Does your club have any claims to fame or any particularly interesting stories… or members?
No particular claims to fame but as with all dive clubs we have a great collection of interesting divers who could tell a tale or two…
What are the club’s plans for the future?
To continue operating, growing and enjoying what we do.
Where can people find out more about your club?
See our website www.scuba4me.co.uk or Facebook page www.facebook.com/scubanorwich
Finally… if you could sum up your club in just one sentence, what would it be?
We are a friendly club full of people passionate about diving and helping others who welcome everyone from whatever age or experience or type of diving you like to do.
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